Today marks the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street. On Sunday October 4th 1936, the British Union of Facists, a virulently antisemitic political group led by Oswald Mosley were due to march through the East End of London, which at the time had a large Jewish population. The marchers were to be 'protected' by the Metropolitan Police. As word of the march got out, around 20,000 protestors (including many Jews) turned out and blocked the route with virtually anything they could lay their hands on. A running battle ensued between those wishing to stop the march and the 7,000 police sent to escort and protect the marchers. 150 counter-demonstrators were arrested and another 175 injured (including women and children). Mosley and his blackshirts were forced to retreat. Today, a rally will be held in the East End to mark the day when Britain's Jews (and many others) stood up to Mosley's antisemitic thugs. Now for the bit that beggars belief - two of those speaking at today's rally will be none other than Jeremy Corbyn and Apsana Begum - and no, we are not making this up. It's simply vile.
